Tyler Shupe Leather
Elite Series Belt: Black Diamond
The Elite Series Black Diamond Belt is a 1.5" two-layer belt built from two full pieces of Hermann Oak saddle skirting: hand-stamped, laminated together, sewn the full length, and hand-dyed to bring up its black-on-black diamond pattern. No belt in Tyler's lineup takes more bench time, and none is built to outlast it.
Hermann Oak has tanned leather in St. Louis since 1881 and still uses traditional pit vegetable tanning. Their saddle skirting is what the best saddle makers reach for, and this belt is two layers of it. That is saddle-grade leather around your waist, not wallet-grade. Every diamond is stamped by hand before the two layers are laminated, so no two belts come out exactly alike.
Two layers, sewn together, is why an Elite belt resists stretching, rolling and rippling the way a single-layer belt does. It breaks in and molds to you while keeping its backbone, on a night out or in the arena. If you want the reasoning, read why two layers of leather beat one.
The Elite Series ships without a buckle. Most of Tyler's customers run their own trophy buckle on it; if you need one, the Jeremiah Watt buckles and keepers in Buckles & Hardware fit the 1.5" strap. Ordering through the Shop app? The buckle picker only shows on our website, so add the heel buckle and keeper to your order separately.
Specs
| Style | Elite Series western belt, Black Diamond |
| Width | 1.5" |
| Leather | Two layers of Hermann Oak saddle skirting, vegetable-tanned |
| Construction | Hand-stamped, laminated, sewn full length, hand-dyed |
| Pattern | Black diamond, black-on-black |
| Hardware | Buckle not included; bring your own trophy buckle |
| Sizes available | 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44 |
| What's included | Belt only |
| Maker's mark | Stamped with Tyler Shupe's maker's mark |
| Origin | Handmade in Eminence, Indiana, USA |
| Warranty | Lifetime warranty against defects in materials and workmanship; 100% satisfaction guarantee |
FAQs
Does it come with a buckle?
No. The Elite Series is built for riders who already own a buckle worth showing off. Slide yours on; the 1.5" strap fits standard 1.5" trophy buckles and the Jeremiah Watt heel buckles in the hardware collection.
Why does it cost more than your other belts?
Two full layers of Hermann Oak saddle skirting, and every step done by hand: stamping, laminating, sewing, dyeing. It is the most labor-intensive belt Tyler makes, priced to be the last belt you buy, and warrantied for life.
Will the black dye rub off on my jeans?
The belt is hand-dyed and finished before it leaves the shop. Care for it like any of Tyler's leather, with a leather soap and then a conditioner or oil, and the finish holds up. Normal wear will mellow the high points of the diamonds over time, which is the look most owners are after.
What if the size is wrong?
Belt size exchanges have no time limit as long as the belt is new and unworn; you cover shipping both ways. Since this belt is thicker than most, measure with the steps below rather than going by pant size alone. Orders ship in 2 to 3 business days with free U.S. shipping at this price.
How to Measure Your Belt Size
- Start at the buckle end where the belt folds over.
- Measure to the hole you comfortably wear — not the end of the strap.
- That measurement is your belt size. Every belt we make is sized from the buckle fold to the middle hole, so the size you order lands on the center hole with room to adjust either way.
Measuring a thin department-store belt? Ours are thicker — add 2" to that measurement, or order 4" over your pant size. Diagrams are in the free Belt Sizing Guide (also the last photo above).
Shipping & Returns
100% Satisfaction Guarantee & Lifetime Warranty
Every Tyler Shupe Leather product is backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee and a lifetime warranty against defects in workmanship and materials — every item we sell, no exceptions. No product is excluded; the warranty covers defects, not normal wear or misuse.
If your product ever fails because of craftsmanship or materials, contact us as soon as possible and we will repair or replace it free of charge. The warranty applies to the original purchaser. Normal wear and tear, misuse or neglect, prolonged water damage, and alterations made by someone other than us are not covered — but if you’re unsure, just reach out. We’re always happy to take a look. Full details and care requirements are on our Warranty & Leather Care page.
Returns
Yes — we accept returns. Eligible items may be returned within 30 days of delivery for a refund.
- Items must be unused, unaltered, and in resaleable condition, with their original packaging.
- Refunds are issued to the original payment method once your return has been received and inspected. Please allow 3–5 business days after inspection for processing; bank posting times vary.
- Original shipping charges are not refundable. Only the price of the returned items is refunded. If your order shipped free, nothing is deducted for the original shipping.
- Return shipping is paid by the customer. You can use our prepaid label — the cost of the label is deducted from your refund — or ship it back with your own insured carrier.
Final Sale — Not Eligible for Return
- Custom, engraved, personalized, and made-to-order items are final sale. They cannot be returned or exchanged. (The lifetime warranty still covers them against defects.)
- Clearance and other final sale items.
- Items showing wear, damage, odors, or alterations.
- Leather damaged by improper care (harsh chemicals, sealed storage causing mold).
- Gift cards.
How to Start a Return
- Email shupe_tyler@yahoo.com within 30 days of delivery with your order number and what you’d like to return.
- We’ll reply with return instructions and your prepaid label option.
- Send the item back unused and in its original packaging. Once it arrives and passes inspection, we issue your refund.
Belt Size Exchanges
Belts are measured from the fold at the buckle to the middle hole, and sometimes the number just isn’t right. We are happy to exchange new, unworn belts for a different size.
- No time limit. As long as the belt is unused and in original condition, we’ll exchange it — there’s no deadline on a size swap.
- You pay shipping both ways — shipping the belt back to us, and shipping on the replacement belt.
- Custom, engraved, and personalized belts are final sale and cannot be exchanged.
- Not sure what to order? Our Belt Measurement Guide shows exactly where to put the tape.
How to Start an Exchange
- Email shupe_tyler@yahoo.com with your order number and the size you need — before sending anything back.
- We’ll confirm the size you want is available and send you return instructions.
- Ship the belt back to us. When it arrives, we’ll send a short invoice for shipping on the replacement — once that’s taken care of, your new belt goes out.
Who Pays Shipping
| Situation | Shipping to us | Shipping back to you |
|---|---|---|
| Return within 30 days | You (our label, deducted from your refund — or your own carrier) | — |
| Belt size exchange | You | You |
| Warranty repair or replacement | You | We pay |
| Free cleaning & conditioning | You | We pay |
| Wrong or defective item we sent | We pay | We pay |
Original shipping charges are never refunded, on a return or an exchange. International customers cover return shipping as well as any duties, taxes, or import fees.
Shipping & Processing Times
We do our very best to get all in-stock orders shipped within 2–3 business days of being placed.
Because our products are handcrafted and we’re a small operation, there may occasionally be times when processing takes up to 4–5 business days. If that happens, please know we’re still working hard to get your order out as quickly as possible.
Custom, engraved and made-to-order items are built for you from scratch and take longer — we’ll email you an estimated ship date after you order. If you need something by a certain date, message us before ordering.
Free U.S. standard shipping on orders $99+ (after any discount codes). Orders under $99 ship for a flat $9.95; standard shipping typically takes 3–7 business days once your order is on its way.
Expedited Shipping
For a flat $25, our expedited processing and shipping option moves your order to the front of the line and ships it via USPS Priority Mail — about 2–3 business days from order to door for most U.S. addresses.
If you need an item shipped faster than our expedited option, please contact us before placing your order and we’ll do our best to help.
Once your order ships, you’ll receive a confirmation email with tracking information.
Please note that processing time is separate from shipping time, and carrier delays are outside of our control. If your package arrives damaged, email us within 7 days with photos of the box and item so we can make it right.
Questions?
Reach out any time through our contact page or at shupe_tyler@yahoo.com. You can also check our FAQ.
Belt Measurement Guide
Belts and dog collars are sized the same way: from the fold of the buckle to the middle hole. One measurement, taken from a belt or collar you already wear, is all you need. The printable guide at the bottom of this page shows the same steps with pictures.
How our sizes work
Everything we make is measured from the fold of the buckle to the middle hole. Order a 38 and it is 38" from the buckle fold to the middle hole. That leaves two holes on each side of it in case you gain or lose a little weight.
- Middle hole = your size.
- Two holes toward the buckle = tighter.
- Two holes toward the tip = looser.
How to find your size
Grab a belt or collar that already fits and a tape measure:
- Start at the buckle end, right where the leather folds over for the buckle. Measure from the fold, not from the buckle itself.
- Measure from that fold all the way to the hole you wear it in.
- Do not measure to the end of the strap.
- That number is the size to order. We build it so that measurement lands on the middle hole.
The thickness rule (belts)
Most sizing mistakes happen right here. Our belts are much thicker than the belt you probably measured, and a thick belt needs more leather to wrap the same waist.
- Measured a thin belt? Add 2" to what the tape says.
- Going by pant size? Order 4" over it. A 34 pant wears a 38.
- Between sizes? Round up.
- Dog collars: order the number you measured. No adjustment needed.
Quick reference
| What you know | What to order |
|---|---|
| Measurement from buckle fold to hole on a thick belt | That number |
| Measurement from buckle fold to hole on a thin belt | That number + 2" |
| Pant size only | Pant size + 4" |
| Dog collar measurement (buckle fold to hole) | That number |
Still not sure?
Text or call 317-517-3477 with your measurement and we'll tell you what to order. And if a new, unworn belt arrives and the size isn't right, we exchange it for a different size with no time limit — see our Satisfaction & Return Policy. Ready to order? Browse handmade leather belts or leather dog collars.
Printable sizing guide
Built to Last. Built for You
Built for riders who demand both grit and style.
